What is the best way to take good pictures of comics for selling?

[comicsguy-migration]

Ok, not the best worded subject line, but here's my problem and the reason I'm asking the question: I've had a hard time getting good pictures of books, especially CGC graded ones. I have struggled between getting glare, camera flash in the picture, not enough light with no glare,etc. So, I'm hoping some of you maybe have a standard setup that you use that you feel works every time and can be replicated easily. Thanks!

[ashrael]

Light sources instead of the flash help a lot, and scanning comics is even better.

[AGGIEZ]

Get on craigslist and find a legal sized scanner....I just got one for $25

[Noble Nostalgia aka Nikelspot]

I just got this in yesterday. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043H69PQ/ref=oss_product It is amazing and you won't have to buy a new camera.

 

Also, Use an 8 megapixel to 12 megapixel camera at most. Most screens cannot read more than 12 megapixels and the picture becomes distorted or blurry.

[Captain SAMerica]

Yes nothing beats a good legal size scanner.

If you only have a camera though, then you have to keep playiing with different angles etc.. to try and get the right photo.

Here is an example of me using a camera and and a scanner for two different Cap sketches......

The camera photo took me several tries with a flash to try to get it right with no glare.

The scanner though, perfect every time.

 

 

[dicjones]

I usually put my slabs on the kitchen table, because we have enough windows plus a light above the table to take a picture without a flash. i stand on one of the chairs and take a picture looking down. Then I put the picture into iPhoto, crop it, straighten it if needed and voila....The only drawback to my method, is you can see my reflection on the CGC case...too damn glossy....have to talk to CGC about making them with a matte finish.

 

 

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f54/dicjones/DSC_0003.jpg[/img]]DD 184

 

 

[Topnotchman]

If you only have a camera, a decent idea is to get a black background. Than use a portable night light to get one strong light source. Than find a position where the bulb does not leave a glare, and you should be able to get a decent shot of the book. Rooms with lots of windows and multiple light sources can wash out the colors.

[Fedoraman]

I usually put my slabs on the kitchen table, because we have enough windows plus a light above the table to take a picture without a flash. i stand on one of the chairs and take a picture looking down. Then I put the picture into iPhoto, crop it, straighten it if needed and voila....The only drawback to my method, is you can see my reflection on the CGC case...too damn glossy....have to talk to CGC about making them with a matte finish.

 

 

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f54/dicjones/DSC_0003.jpg[/img]]DD 184

 

 

Just make sure you are fully clothed if you are going to use this method. We all know about the guy with the tea-pot, right?

 

 

 

[NewEnglandGothic]

If you do use a camera with a black background, I recommend the "Star Wars Opening Title Crawl" angle.

It becomes eye popping.

[VintageComics]

Get on craigslist and find a legal sized scanner....I just got one for $25

 

This. eBay too. Also, do some research on the boards using the search function to figure out which scanners are best.

[VintageComics]

I usually put my slabs on the kitchen table, because we have enough windows plus a light above the table to take a picture without a flash. i stand on one of the chairs and take a picture looking down. Then I put the picture into iPhoto, crop it, straighten it if needed and voila....The only drawback to my method, is you can see my reflection on the CGC case...too damn glossy....have to talk to CGC about making them with a matte finish.

 

 

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f54/dicjones/DSC_0003.jpg[/img]]DD 184

 

 

Running this through Photostudio using the "autoenhance" feature would probably sharpen it up nicely.

[asteroid-comix]

I usually put my slabs on the kitchen table, because we have enough windows plus a light above the table to take a picture without a flash. i stand on one of the chairs and take a picture looking down. Then I put the picture into iPhoto, crop it, straighten it if needed and voila....The only drawback to my method, is you can see my reflection on the CGC case...too damn glossy....have to talk to CGC about making them with a matte finish.

 

 

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f54/dicjones/DSC_0003.jpg[/img]]DD 184

 

 

Just make sure you are fully clothed if you are going to use this method. We all know about the guy with the tea-pot, right?

 

 

 

That's one of the best slab pic's I've seen. I thought it was a scan at first.

[comicdonna]

I use the dining room table under lights that hang from the ceiling. I use a black background with the flash on. The pics come out better during the daylight hours.

 

[NewEnglandGothic]

I use the dining room table under lights that hang from the ceiling. I use a black background with the flash on. The pics come out better during the daylight hours.

 

The master and his technique that inspired my funny book picture taking myself.

 

 

[comicdonna]

[Thomas Nielsen]

You could make something like this.

http://store.tabletopstudio-store.com/ezlite.html

 

http://www.creativepro.com/article/digital-photography-how-to-building-a-light-tent

 

And always use a tripod/stand.

 

 

 

[Boozad]

Scans for raw...

 

 

As mentioned above for slab photos...

 

[Thomas Nielsen]

forgot this

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